Pasta Rummo Appoints Chief Commercial Officer to Support US Business
Pasta Rummo, the 178-year-old family-run Italian pasta brand, announces the promotion of James W. Donnelly Jr. to Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), demonstrating Rummo’s investment in expanding its US presence. In his previous role as VP of Sales, US, Donnelly led Pasta Rummo to its current status as fastest-growing classic and gluten-free pasta brand in the US for the last five years.1
In addition to appointing an American CCO, Pasta Rummo is making greater investments in the US side of the business. Reporting to Donnelly are Glen Prodhal, Director of Grocery, Kevin Leone, Northeast Grocery Sales Manager, Erik Tuomisto, Trade Marketing Analyst, Ken Merk East Coast Food Service Manager, Michele Olson, Customer Service Manager and Matt Brock, Logistics Manager. The brand plans to add a US-based Marketing Manager, West Region Manager and Controller before year’s end. The new headquarters for Pasta Rummo, USA. is in Charlotte, North Carolina.
“Pasta Rummo is honored to bring more than 170 years of history and six generations of pasta-making expertise to American consumers seeking authentic Italian premium pasta,” said Antonio Rummo, President of Rummo, USA. “Based on our incredible growth in the American market throughout the past five years, it was time for us to invest even further in our US presence as a brand. We are delighted to announce the expansion of our US team and to watch the group continue to succeed under Jim’s leadership.”
Donnelly’s business journey began after a serious arm injury ended his professional baseball career with the Houston Astros. Beginning with Pepsi Cola, Donnelly held various sales positions at Snapple, Coca-Cola international (Hungary and Poland) and Nestle Waters and most recently served as VP of Sales for Twinings Tea for 12 years before joining Pasta Rummo in 2019. Donnelly resides in Charlotte with his wife, Magdolna and three children.